TOWN OF ONONDAGA -- A school bus driver employed by the Onondaga Central School District is facing criminal charges for having a sexual relationship with a student.
24-year-old Shaun A. Rogers of County Route 4 in Central Square was arrested Tuesday on charges of criminal sex act in the first degree, sexual abuse in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
According to a news release by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, "Detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Abused Persons Unit began investigating Rogers after school officials received information that Rogers was acting inappropriately with a student. Working with the School Resource Officer and School Administrators, detectives were able to conduct a complete
investigation.
As a result of the investigation, detectives allege that Rogers engaged in sexual activity with a student who was under the age of 17 during school hours in January of this year.
Rogers was arraigned in the Town of Onondaga Court where he was released to the Pre-Trial Release Program and is scheduled to return to court on April 6th. Rogers was also suspended by the Onondaga Central School District."
When reached for comment on the case, Onondaga school superintendent Joe Rotella told CNY Central reporter Lisa Spitz that Rogers has been placed on unpaid leave while the investigation is ongoing. Rotella said Rogers, who was hired by the district in 2006, is not allowed on school property.
Rotella also said that the school district is sending out a letter to parents notifying them of Rogers' arrest.
“The district will continue to put the safety of our students first," said Rotella, "and will continue to work closely with the school resource officer and the sheriff’s department to ensure our students remain safe.”
Criminal sexual act in the first degree is a class B felony, sexual abuse in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child are class A misdemeanors.
Detectives are continuing their investigation and ask anyone with information to contact the Sheriff’s Office Abused Persons Unit by calling 435-3092.
